Faculty Lecture and Duo Piano Recital to be Held February 19

April 06, 2010

Dr. Maira Balacon, assistant professor of music, will present the lecture 'German + Hungarian = Gypsy?: Brahms's Hungarian Dances as a Musical Construction of a Fictionalized Gypsy 'Other'' followed by a duo piano performance of selections from Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms in conjunction with Janelle Phinney, lecturer of music, in the Presser Recital Hall of Mount Union College on Sunday, February 19 at 3 p.m.

Balacon has received numerous awards both in her native Romania and the United States and has twice been the recipient of the prestigious Presser Music Award. She earned a bachelor of music degree in piano from Bowling Green State University and master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. Balacon teaches private piano lessons, music history and music appreciation at Mount Union.

An award-winning collaborative pianist, Phinney has performed extensively in the United States and abroad. She earned a bachelor of music degree from Bowling Green State University and a master of arts degree in religion from Yale University. At Mount Union she serves as an accompanist for choral ensembles and performs with vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles.

The piano duo of Balacon and Phinney was formed in 1996 and has distinguished itself through stunning collaborative work and a high level of musicianship. The duo has been coached by the internationally renowned Pridonoff Duo and has maintained a regular performance schedule in venues in the Midwest.

The lecture and recital are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Department of Music at (330) 823-2180.